It's no secret that Google and Facebook are working on independent projects to bring the Internet to remote regions of the world.

Now, The Wall Street Journalhas new information on Google's plan to connect the parts of the world where people have no or limited Internet access. According to WSJ's sources, Google plans to launch a fleet of 180 "small, high capacity" satellites that will orbit the Earth at lower altitudes than traditional satellites. The price tag for this initial push is expected to top $1 billion.

It's all part of Google's ambitious initiative called Project Loon, that Google originally announced last June, which would use a network of high-altitude balloons. The company launched a pilot project, with 30 balloons, in New Zealand. The balloons have since caused a UFO scare in Kentucky and one crashed into a power line in Washington.

It makes sense that Google (and Facebook) are trying to connect more people to the Internet and get more eyeballs on their sites. But at what cost? One expert tells WSJ that the projects could cost more than the companies anticipate, perhaps as much as $20 billion.